Digital Cover: Bloom Li
Talent: Bloom Li
Photos: Jonny Marlow
Stylist: Alicia Liu
Groomer: Sonia Lee
Producer: Chrissy Wang
Words: + EIC: Anthony Vu Cao
Special Thanks: Slate PR
Bloom Li is an up-and-coming Asian-American actor best known for Blind Spot (2016), What You Don’t Say (2017), From Start to Finish (2018), Afterimages (2020), Ransom (2022), and He stars in Disney+’s Chang Can Dung, which premieres on March 10th, 2023.
We caught up with the young actor to talk about “CHANG CAN DUNK” - remember to follow Bloom Li at @bloomli_
What drew you to becoming an actor?
I was a lonely kid so I spent a lot of my time in front of the TV. Some of my earliest memories are of identifying so strongly with the characters I was watching that I was shocked when I saw my own reflection in the mirror because I forgot what I looked like. Later, I realized I liked who I became when I started acting. I became more curious, open-hearted, bold, and empathetic when I had to find my way into a character. Acting became the lens through which I started to make sense of myself, other people, and the world in general. So for me, being an actor has been vital in my growth as a person and really essential part of how I understand and perceive life.
You play ‘Chang’ in the upcoming Disney movie “Chang Can Dunk”; How did this role come about for you? What attracted you to his project and to the role?
I found out about the role because casting was doing an open call for anyone who was interested to submit an audition. Initially, when I saw the post, I didn’t audition right away because I was focused on my own projects. Then one of my friends messaged me with the casting notice and encouraged me to tape. I thought if someone believed that I would be a good fit, I might as well send in a tape. Then I read the script and was blown away by its specificity, humor, and heart. Jingyi Shao, the writer/director, had such emotional clarity on Chang as a character and what his struggle was. At that point, I was hooked because one of my favorite parts of being an actor is working with directors whose visions feel expanding and enriching to me. I felt like I would learn so much working with Jing and taking on the role of Chang.
There has been a lot of conversation surrounding Asian representation in Hollywood following the award-winning movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, what impact do you hope to have on Hollywood by being an Asian lead in a Disney film? How does it feel?
Films like EEAO prove that Asian stories were always amazing and will continue to be amazing. I don’t think I’ve fully grasped the impact of being an Asian lead in a Disney film will be yet. My hope is always that my work will reach somebody and make them feel less lonely. And beyond that, I hope this film inspires any storyteller who doubts the validity and importance of what they want to put out in the world. It feels surreal at times because Disney films and shows were cornerstone pieces art for me growing up and to to think that this film might be that for somebody growing up now is really wild. I’m grateful and humbled.
How do you most closely relate to your character ‘Chang’ from “Chang Can Dunk?
We both love basketball and trained to dunk at one point in our lives. I think Chang is more resilient than I am and I was definitely more popular in high school than he is. I think what I related to most is Chang’s desire to be seen and loved. Sometimes as an actor, it feels like I’m screaming out into the world “Do you see me?” and I feel that is what Chang is doing on this joinery to dunking. And sometimes that desire is so overwhelming that we can forget about the people closest to us that have always seen us. And even more so, that we have to be willing to truthfully look at ourselves before we can even begin to feel seen by others. I think that’s something Chang starts to learn and what I am continuing to learn.
“I think the most important thing that has helped me along the path is really being able to spend time with myself to bring clarity on what direction I wanted to go as an artist.”
What is one thing you learned from filming “Chang Can Dunk?
Chang Can Dunk was my first time leading a film of this scale. I had done an Indie film with some friends but this was so markedly different. The first few days of shooting, it was almost overwhelming. I’ve always had this dream and for it to finally be here, I wasn’t sure if I could do it. But after a couple of days, I realized that this was exactly what I was meant to do. I realized how much better I thrived when other people were dependent on me to show up at my best every day than when it was only me depending on me. Being the lead, I felt that I had some responsibility to set the tone on set no matter what was going on that day. I was happy to find out that it was a responsibility that I felt comfortable with, and even craved.
What was one of the most memorable (funny or serious) moments you had while filming “Chang Can Dunk”?
There really are so so many. Any day we had the actual Bunnell HS marching band shooting with us was so fun. All the band members were so excited to be in a Disney movie and their energy was infectious. Their work and presence are vital to the film and they really hold a special place in my heart. Another moment was when my co-star Zoe Renee, who plays Kristy, and I were waiting for a shot to set up. This was a few weeks into production and I must’ve looked gassed because she look over at me and asked if I was doing okay. I kind of brushed her off but then she looked at me real seriously, and Zoe is never serious, and kind of scolded me for not asking for support when I needed it. And she reaffirmed that she and the rest of the cast got my back and I needed to remember that. I’m not sure why, but that simple gesture meant the world to me.
What were some of your inspirations that helped you through filming Chang Can Dunk?
As I was training to dunk, I was really inspired by the Chinese Olympic Sprinter Su Bingtian. He is the first Asian-born sprinter to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters. And I watched a video where he talked about having to rebuild his sprinting form from the ground up, which is incredibly difficult, in order to reach this milestone. This left me feeling that anything is possible with patience and perseverance. Another crucial influence was the anime Your Lie in April. I binged the whole show the first weekend of shooting and it made me feel things that I don’t think I’ve ever felt in my real life. It’s a heartbreaking show and it really reminded me of the purpose of film, and art in general: to reach into and stir the hearts of others. I carried that purpose with me throughout the entire shoot.
In addition to acting, do you have any other creative aspirations in the industry?
Though I feel like I just started to really understand what acting is for me, I do write and eventually, I do want to produce and maybe even direct. Producing because helping other people get their stories into the world seems really fulfilling. I’ll probably only direct if I feel like it's a necessity for me to do it. I’m Chinese-American and more specifically Fuzhounese American, meaning my family is from the Fujian province of China. The majority of Fuzhounese immigrants are restaurant workers or garment factory workers, like my parents, and I feel that there are so many rich stories within the community that I might be interested in telling. Also, since the suspension of disbelief is a given in film and tv, I’m interested in exploring real stories in the context of magical realism and fantasy.
What advice would you give to young aspiring actors and entertainers?
This is a tough question. I remember when I was starting out as an actor, I would always be frustrated with other actors’ advice because I felt like it was either too general or not helpful. Now I might be endangered of doing the same thing. I think the most important thing that has helped me along the path is really being able to spend time with myself to bring clarity on what direction I wanted to go as an artist. When someone starts on this path, every single person, and the world in general, will be trying to tell you what you are and are not capable of doing. And I feel that if I had no stability in my own directionality, I’d be constantly thrown in a million directions to the point where I’d be unable to hear myself any longer. I feel that there’s no wrong way as long as the way is truly one’s choice and not just a path one unknowingly adopted. So yeah, have that conversation with yourself often. GR8T
